S in Pefferlaw

Take a moment to check all the poor reviews on other review sites, and also see that Plumber on Demand has 18 complaints filed against them on Better Business Bureau. This company really takes advantage of people who don't have time to do more thorough research. Not sure why they show up first in google listings, but do yourself a favour and move on to the next company. My experience was very similar to complaints on BBB, where many spoke about having credit cards over-charged, being over-taxed, and having poor quality/unnecessary work done. Over the phone this place says assessment is $80, but they don't mention HST ($90.4). They also refuse to give any ballpark estimate on total costs ahead of time. I figured this was somewhat understandable, but it became quite clear this ambiguity is intentional. We had a small puncture in a pipe that I probably could have fixed myself, had I the tools/equipment. The plumber "George" walks in, and gives his assessment in literally 5 seconds. From all his feigned "hmms" and "ohhhs" I could immediately tell he was about unconvincingly exaggerate the cost and labour required to fix the problem. He tells me it will cost $540, and will be a "really tough/long job that requires lots of parts." FAST FORWARD: A different plumbing company completed the job well in 1.5 hours, and charged less than HALF that ($250). Although I already knew Plumber on Demand was overcharging and being dishonest, I still wanted to confirm with a friend. "George" immediately starts pressuring me to make a decision, telling me he has another job to go to... because an extra 2 minutes was too much time to wait in addition to that realllly grueling 5 seconds he spent. He tells me he would need to come back several hours later because he "didn't have the parts." This was all I needed to hear... I tell him no thanks, he gives me the invoice and tells me that unbelievably difficult 5 seconds assessment will cost $94. What?? Oh, HST is not included...ok, I foolishly take his word, and pay via e-transfer because it was the ONLY option available, because apparently his credit card reader isn't working. After reading complaints on BBB, and being overcharged myself, I'm pretty sure they insist on e-transfers so customers cannot get their money back. I paid the $94 "George" told me it was, rather than the $90.4 it actually was. It's only $3.60 difference, but on a matter of principle, and the fact that the entire experience was a waste of time, I requested that few dollars back. Two week laters, and after several phone calls and emails, Plumber on Demand and the extremely rude owner Martin still has not refunded that back. This deceitful tactic is consistent with what many others have said on BBB. To add insult to injury, "George" refused to take off his dirty outside shoes, and insisted on walking all over our carpeted basement. During a bloody pandemic, this was really irritating. Regardless of how desperate you may feel, do NOT be fooled into using this company.